Akers among NFL players to lose money in Ponzi scheme

Niners placekicker David Akers told a federal jury in Austin, Texas, on Monday that he lost $3.7 million with Triton Financial from 2007 to ’09. Prosecutors are claiming former Triton chief executive Kurt Barton built a $50 million Ponzi scheme.

Akers did not practice Sunday and was late to practice Monday after testifying.

“I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights,” Akers said, according to the Austin American-Statesman. “This is my family’s future. I said that to Kurt a lot of times. I said, ‘Man, I’m trusting in you.'”

According to the American-Statesman, prosecutors contend Barton hired former NFL quarterbacks Koy Detmer and Chris Weinke to pitch real estate and business deals. Detmer has said he lost $2 million in investments with Triton.

Included among the failed investments Akers made with Triton was an insurance company and land for an athletic center, neither of which were purchased.

Panthers defensive back Sean Considine is another NFL player who lost money with Triton. Considine testified that he and Akers met Barton when they were both playing for the Eagles in 2007. Detmer, then a quarterback for the Eagles, introduced them to Barton.

Akers, 36, signed with the Niners in July after spending his first 12 seasons with the Eagles. Akers signed a three-year, $9 million deal that includes a $1.7 million signing bonus, according to CSN Bay Area.